As the capital of a Catholic country, Madrid truly embraces the festive spirit during Christmas. There’s much to do, from exploring festive Christmas markets and dazzling holiday lights to enjoying immersive nativity scenes and the iconic Three Kings Parade.
Moreover, dining out is a significant part of the celebrations. Christmas Eve is the primary celebration day in Spain. As a result, you will find many restaurants open on Christmas Day, in contrast to places like Britain or the United States. However, it is important to note that popular restaurants tend to take reservations months in advance, so planning your dining experience well ahead of time is advisable.
01. Christmas Markets
Madrid hosts several Christmas mercados de navidad, which run for varying durations throughout the festive season. These markets typically open around midday and close around 9 or 10 p.m.
- Plaza Mayor Christmas Market: The main Christmas market in Madrid, located in Plaza Mayor, usually opens in the last week of November, with stalls often spilling into nearby Plaza Santa Cruz.
- Plaza Callao, Plaza Santo Domingo, and Plaza del Carmen Christmas Markets: Located between Sol and Gran Via, all three markets begin welcoming visitors in November.
- Plaza La Luna Christmas Market: This market, more formally known as Plaza de Santa Maria de Soledad Torres Acosta, is north of Gran Via and runs from mid-November to early January.
- Plaza de Espana Christmas Market: An artisanal market, opening in mid-December and lasting until early January.
- Plaza Benavente Christmas Market: A smaller market near Sol that opens in late November and continues until early January.
- Plaza Isabel Christmas Market: Primarily focused on Christmas food, running from late November to early January.
02. Christmas Lights
Every year, much of Madrid sparkles with intricate Christmas lights. The most spectacular displays light up during the festive season, typically from late November until early January.
- Gran Via in central Madrid
- Puerta del Sol in central Madrid
- Paseo de la Castellana/Paseo del Prado in central Madrid
- Calle Goya and Calle Ortega y Gasset in the Barrio Salamanca district
- Various El Corte Ingles department stores, which are usually beautifully decorated
The official Christmas tree located in Puerta del Sol is an enormous arbol de Navidad, providing a stunning holiday sight for visitors.
03. Ice Skating
Ice skating is another delightful holiday activity, suitable for both kids and adults. There are several rinks open in Madrid each year during the festive season:
- Centro Cultural Conde Duque in Malasana, opening mid-December
- Plaza de la Luna, accessible from late November
- Plaza de Felipe II in Barrio Salamanca, beginning in November
04. Nativity Scenes
Nativity scenes, known as belenes, are a significant feature of Christmas in Madrid. These elaborate displays often recreate the whole of Bethlehem, attracting many visitors. There are numerous nativity scenes throughout the city, often with lines of eager viewers. Some prominent locations are:
- Centrocentro Cibeles de Cultura y Ciudadania: Features an antique 17th-century nativity scene.
- City Hall: Home to one of the largest nativity scenes in Madrid.
- Plaza Mayor: An outdoor nativity scene situated around the central statue, easily accessible to visitors.
- Other Notable Nativity Scenes: Museo de Historia de Madrid (Calle Fuencarral), Museo de San Isidro (Plaza de San Andres), and Real Casa de Correos (Calle Correos).
05. Three Kings Parade
The Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos) takes place on January 5 each year and is arguably the highlight of the holiday season in Spain. On this magical night, the three wise men, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, parade through the streets, distributing gifts and spreading their message of peace.
The parade itinerary includes:
- Plaza de San Juan de la Cruz, starting at 6:30 p.m.
- Paseo de la Castellana
- Plaza del Doctor Maranon
- Glorieta de Emilio Castelar
- Plaza de Colon
- Paseo de Recoletos
- Plaza de Cibeles, arriving around 8:45 p.m.
